13-month-old Girl Dies

Mom's Friend Charged

January 07, 2000

IRVING PARK — A Northwest Side man, who was accused of killing a 13-month-old girl by shaking her because she would not stop crying, has been charged with first-degree murder, Chicago police said Thursday.

Fabrisio Barrezueta, 25, of the 3300 block of West Cuyler Avenue, was charged Thursday after his girlfriend's daughter, Gianna Sotelo, who had been left in his care Sunday, died at Children's Memorial Hospital.

Sotelo died of blunt trauma to her head as a result of child abuse, according to a spokeswoman for the Cook County medical examiner's office. Her death was classified a homicide, the spokeswoman said.

Barrezueta had been charged with aggravated battery to a child in the matter earlier this week, said Sgt. Frank Cappitelli. Barrezueta allegedly told police Gianna would not take her bottle or stop crying, and he got tired of listening to her, Cappitelli said.